Block transfer mechanism



Feb. 20,1945. FALKNER 2,369,727

BLOCK TRANSFER 'MECHANI SM Filed April 18, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l .LMM I ZMW- 1945- A. R. FALKNER 2,369,727

BLOCK TRANSFER MECHANISM Filed April 18, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 7* TORNE r INVE 0R.

Patented Feb. 20, 1945 UNITED STATES, PATENT- OFFICE- BLOCK TRANSEERMECHANISM Albert R. -Falkner,'New' Kensington, Pa. Application April is, 1944, Serial No. 531,568

6 Claims. 01. 294-62) This invention is an improvement in block transfer mechanism, particularly designed for clampingv a row or rows of cubical units, as building blocks, for clamping, lifting, transfer, lowering and releasing, between different locations or stations; Ordinarily, as in the manufactur of such. units as concrete building blocks, bricks, or

. the like, whether air dried or kiln treated, they require removal for storage or shipment, and are heavy in weight.

The present improvement is designed to clamp a. series of such units by rows, and is so designed as to; tightly engage endmost units with sufficient force, initially developed by the inertia of the load, in. application of endmost opening and closing. clamping shoes.

It also involves. raising and lowering means. suitably connected with overhead transfer elements for lateral shifting of the load, dependent on local conditions, as hereinafter described.

Referring to the drawings showing certain preferred constructions of the means utilized in the invention:

Fig. 1 is a general view in, elevation, partly broken away, showingthe clamping mechanism in lowered position. over a row. of block units;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the construction prior to unlocking of. the clamping terminals; Fig. 3' is a similar partial view showing the row of units tightly grasped by the .clamping'shoes, upon upward lifting;

Fig.4 is aplan view of the mechanism. on. the

line IV-IV oflFig. 1'; v

Fig. 5 is an. isometric view showing a modification for engagement with cored units;

Fig. 6 is across section on the line VI-VI'of Fi l; I

Fig. '7 is a similar View on the line VII-VII of Fig, l;

Fig. 8. is a. diagrammatic view illustrating the connection with plural rows of units,- by a single supporting lift. a

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a seriesof units, as concrete building blocks A, are assembled on any suitable level support, closely together, and in position for application of the clamping means. Such clamping means consist of a main longitudinal bar or beam 2, having at one end a fixedly connected clamping shoe'3, of suitable area and form to bear with sufficient contact, against one outermost unit A.

At the opposite end of beam 2, pivoted at 4, is the downwardly extending arm 5 of the actuating arm extension 6, preferably made of an integral bar having a substantially right angled the lower portion of arm 5, pivotally mounted .therein as at 1, is a supplemental shoe 8, bearing the purpose of holding the mechanism in inopera-- tive position, asin Fig. 2.

Suchholding, is efiected by the pawl, lip or lug I2 of a tilting. arm. (3-, provided with a counter.- weight M, tending to throw the lockingmeans outwardly whenv disengaged.

Arm I3, for such purpose, is pivoted at l5 to beam 2, and is designed to be controlled by the operator, depending On the conditions of use.

For such. purpose I utilize a lanyard, in the form of a cable or the like 16, passing. around an overhead roller l1. and. having a terminal hand hold l8 of well known construction, within reach of the operator. Lanyard l6 passes around underneath a, roller l9, pivo tally mounted between the sides. of a lifting clevisv 2ll, pivotally connected.

the terminal hook, 22 of av cable, chain or the like 23, Raising and lowering of same is provided by" any suitable means as motor M, diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 1, and subject to control of the operator by any suitable means, as one for a bend. At 55 plurality of connections 24.

The entire apparatus, as. illustrated, maybe supported, from the arm or beam 25 of a laterally swin'gin'gflcrane, preferably mounted in the usual manner on a portable truck for movement over the floor of the plant. Beam 25 may be of I beam construction, cooperating with supporting rollers 26 as in ordinary shop practice.

As thus constructed, it will be observed that the entire framework is capable of being raised and lowered over a row of closely assembled blocks A, with shoes 3 and B separated as in Fig. 2, and

.locking arm I3 in holding engagement.

' Slight slackening ofcable 23 and of lanyard IB, efiects disengagement'of pawl l2, leaving bar 6 free under upward tension. Thereupon raising of cable 23 effects leverage action, not only against endmost arm 5 and its shoe 8, but also, when shoe 8 makes contact, upon beam 2, to

tightly clamp the opposite clamping shoe 3, whereby both shoes are then in tight holding engagement, as in Fig. 3.

Upon being thus held, the entire series of blocks may be raised from their surface support and swung laterally, or moved in any direction to any extent, by means of the portable crane above noted.

As shown in Fig. a series of cored blocks, having the usual transverse openings 21, may be engaged, lifted and transported in the same general manner and by the same equipment as above described. It merely substitutes, in place of the fixed shoe 3 and adjustable shoe 8, suitable extensions 28 adapted to be lowered and inserted through the middle core opening of each endmost block, gripping inwardly, and thereby efiecting closing pressure against the outermost blocks and all intervening blocks, in the same general manner and by the same mechanism otherwise, as above described.

I show also in Fig. S a modified arrangement whereby a plurality of series of blocks A may be acted upon together, utilizing the same general means described as in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, each row of blocks being individually held and supported by the assembly 23, indicated somewhat diagrammatically.

Such depending assemblies 23 are as in the singlerow application, but are connected by corresponding terminal hooks 22 with the middle framing 21, of a common transverse supporting bar 29 and upper lift 30.

Fig. 8 is merely shown in skeleton form, it being understood that the mechanism for each supporting assembly 23 and bars 2 and 6, together with their clamping shoes 3 and 8, or 28, 28, are the same as in the single construction shown and described.

Such arrangement amplifies the scope and capacity of the apparatus, and enables the transfer of larger numbers of blocks in a single application, and in some instances is desirable and economical, where the block making plantis consistently sufiicient to be so utilized.

It will be understood that the invention may be changed or modified in speoific'detail construction or otherwise by the skilled mechanic within the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. Block clamping and moving means comprising a pair of pivotally connected members each having a clamping shoe, raising and lowerin means connected to one of said members effectin tightening or loosening of the shoes, a

counterweighted locking device on one member I adapted to engage the other member, a roller mounted in the raising and lowering means, and a flexible lanyard element connected with the locking device engaging said roller and an upper V supporting sheave wheel.

2. In block clamping and moving means, the combination with a main bar having a fixed clamping shoe at One end, of a cooperating bar pivotally connected to the opposite end of the main bar and having a pivoted clamping shoe, raising and lowering means connected with the cooperating bar, a counterweighted locking latch pivoted on the side of the main bar adapted to engage the cooperating bar, and means for actuating the latch having movable guiding engagement with the raising and lowering means.

3. In combination, a longitudinal main bar having and endmost fixed clamping shoe, an upper bar in edgewise relation with the main bar having pivotal connection with the main bar and provided with a lever extension having a limiting prong, a clamping shoe pivoted thereto engageable with said prong and raising and lowering means connected with the upper bar, a locking latch pivoted on the main bar in operative relation to the upper bar, and means for releasing and moving the locking latch from and into holding engagement with the upper bar.

4. In combination, a longitudinal main bar having an endmost fixed clamping shoe, an upper bar in edgewise relation with the main bar having pivotal connection with the main bar and provided with a lever extension having a limited abutment, a clamping shoe pivoted thereto engageable with said abutment, guide bars for the upper bar extending upwardly fro-m the main bar, raising and lowering means connected with the upper bar, a holding latch on the main bar for engaging the upper bar, and means effecting engagement or disengagement thereof.

'5. In combination, a longitudinal main bar having an endmost fixed clamping shoe, an upper bar in edgewise relation with the main bar having pivotal connection with the main bar and provided with a lever extension, a clamping shoe pivoted thereto, a locking latch pivotally mounted on the main bar engageable with the adjusting bar, a flexible element connected with the locking latch, and raising and lowering means connected with the upper bar and provided with a sheave roller for said element.

6. In block clamping'andmoving means, the combination with a main bar having a clamping shoe at one end insertible through a core opening of a block. of a cooperating bar pivotally connected to the opposite end of the main bar and having a similar clamping shoe, raising and lowering means connected with the cooperating bar, a counterweighted locking latch pivoted to the side of the main bar adapted to engage the cooperating bar, and means for actuating the latch having movable guiding engagement with the raising and lowering means.

ALBERT R. FALKNER. 

